Turn up the heat: Summer dating fashion

As the movie musical Grease so eloquently put it: “Summer lovin,’ had me a blast.” But deep in the throes of the balmy, sweltering southern summer months, summer lovin’ becomes a bit more complicated matter. How does one dress to kill and simultaneously avoid heat stroke? How does one bare some sultry summer skin without looking like a summer sleaze? Whether embarking on a new relationship or trying to crank up the heat on an old one, here are some summer fashion tips to keep your dating life and your fashion cool.

Release your inner hippie: Go loose

As the fashion gurus on Project Runway say, short and tight is the quickest way to look cheap (and—I would add—tacky). So, ditch the skin-tight tank tops and the barely-there shorty-shorts and instead opt for light, airy, and breezy. It’s both less revealing, flirty, and more cooling.

Dress in hemispheres

Daring to bare with a mini-skirt on the bottom? Opt for more coverage up top. Wearing that killed halter you slaved all winter sculpting your arms for? Choose a longer skirt or pick from what People magazine identifies as two of the summer’s biggest trends: harem pants and boyfriend shorts.

Sundress, sundress, sundress!

Arguably, some variation on the sundress is the summer fashion staple for women. Sexy, chic, timeless, sundresses are perfect for dinner and drinks, a pic-nic in the park, or most any other summer date. Whether you choose a floor length maxi-dress or something a little shorter, it is pretty gosh darn hard to miss with a bright, summery dress.

And lastly, a summer style tip (and personal pet peeve) for the gentlemen:

Keep your feet neat!

Summer is the time for flip-flops and bare feet, but guys, make sure your tootsies are ready for the heat. Raggedy nails, hairy toes, and questionable patches of crusty, dead skin are more or less a universal turn-off. I’m not saying you need to spring for a pedicure (although many guys do), but most ladies are averse to hobbit feet.

What other summer style tips do you follow? How do you rock a savvy style on a summer date?